KR101876367B1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator having a carbonated water producing device according to the present invention includes a pressure regulator for regulating and discharging the pressure of carbon dioxide flowing out of a carbon dioxide cylinder, a solenoid opening / closing valve for interrupting the supply of carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure regulator to the carbonated water tank, A relief valve provided in the connection passage for discharging the carbon dioxide of the connection passage to the atmosphere when the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is higher than a predetermined limit pressure, The pressure can be maintained at a predetermined limit pressure or less, and malfunction of the solenoid can be prevented, thereby improving the reliability and stability of the system.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a carbonated water generating module.

Generally, a refrigerator is a household appliance that stores a food freshly by having a storage room for storing food and a cold supply device for supplying cold air to the storage room. In response to the demand of the user, the refrigerator may be provided with an ice maker for generating ice and a dispenser for extracting water or ice from the outside without opening the door, and further a carbonated water producing device for producing carbonated water may be provided.

The carbonated water producing apparatus is composed of a carbon dioxide cylinder storing high-pressure carbon dioxide gas and a carbonated water tank for producing carbonated water by mixing carbon dioxide and water.

The carbonated water producing apparatus includes a pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of carbon dioxide flowing out of the carbon dioxide cylinder and a solenoid opening / closing valve for interrupting supply of carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure regulator to the carbonated water tank.

The pressure regulator allows the carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide cylinder to escape when the carbon dioxide is released, adjusting the pressure to approximately 8.5 bar. This is an appropriate pressure for carbon dioxide and water to mix in a carbonated water tank.

However, when the carbon dioxide flowing out of the pressure regulator is stagnated in the connecting flow path between the pressure regulator and the solenoid opening / closing valve, the carbon dioxide may be heated by the external heat and the pressure may rise. When the pressure of the carbon dioxide increases, the solenoid opening / closing valve may not open.

On the other hand, carbon dioxide cylinders should be replaced when consumed as a consumable, exhausting all of the carbon dioxide charged inside.

One aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a pressure in a carbon dioxide cylinder, comprising the steps of: controlling a pressure of a carbon dioxide filled in a carbon dioxide cylinder to flow out, and a solenoid opening / closing valve controlling the supply of carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure regulator to a carbonated water tank, And which prevents the solenoid opening / closing valve from malfunctioning, thereby improving the reliability and stability of the system.

Discloses a refrigerator having a notification device for detecting and replacing carbon dioxide charged in a carbon dioxide cylinder when replacement is required.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a main body; a carbonated water tank for generating carbonated water by mixing carbon dioxide and water; a carbon dioxide cylinder filled with carbon dioxide; A solenoid opening / closing valve for controlling the supply of carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure regulator to the carbonic acid water tank; a connection channel connecting the pressure regulator and the solenoid opening / closing valve; And a relief valve provided in the connection passage to discharge carbon dioxide in the connection passage to the atmosphere if the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is greater than a predetermined limit pressure.

Here, the pressure of the carbon dioxide flowing into the solenoid opening / closing valve by the operation of the relief valve is maintained below the predetermined limit pressure, so that the solenoid opening / closing valve can be prevented from malfunctioning due to the high pressure.

In addition, the predetermined limit pressure may be determined in the range of 9.5 bar to 11.5 bar.

The relief valve includes a first relief valve body, a second relief valve body coupled to the first relief valve body, and a second relief valve body formed inside the first relief valve body, A relief main passage formed in the second relief valve body and having one end communicating with the relief main passage and the other end opened to the outside; A relief opening / closing member for opening and closing the relief discharge passage; And a relief elastic member for elastically supporting the relief opening and closing member.

Here, if the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is greater than the predetermined limit pressure, the relief opening and closing member moves in one direction to open the relief discharge passage, and the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is less than the predetermined limit pressure The relief opening and closing member moves in the opposite direction to close the relief discharge passage.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a main body; a storage chamber provided inside the main body; a door for opening and closing the storage chamber; a carbonated water tank for mixing carbon dioxide and water to generate carbonated water; A solenoid on-off valve for controlling supply of carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure regulator to the carbonic acid water tank; and a control unit for controlling the supply of the carbon dioxide to the carbonic acid water tank, A communication channel for connecting the pressure regulator and the solenoid opening / closing valve, a notification device for notifying the time when the carbon dioxide cylinder is to be replaced, and a low pressure signal when the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is less than a predetermined replacement pressure , The pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage A low pressure relief valve integrated sensor which is greater than the pressure of the carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere connection path; And a controller for receiving the low pressure signal from the low pressure sensor integrated relief valve and controlling the notification device to inform the replacement time of the carbon dioxide cylinder.

Here, the notification device may include a display device provided on the door.

Also, the pressure of the carbon dioxide flowing into the solenoid open / close valve can be kept below the predetermined limit pressure by the operation of the low pressure sensor integrated relief valve, so that the solenoid open / close valve can be prevented from malfunctioning due to the high pressure.

In addition, the predetermined replacement pressure may be determined in a range of 7.3 bar to 7.7 bar.

In addition, the predetermined limit pressure may be determined in the range of 9.5 bar to 11.5 bar.

The low pressure sensor integrated type relief valve may be mounted at an inlet of the solenoid opening / closing valve.

The relief valve includes a valve body portion, a valve main flow passage formed inside the valve body portion and having both ends communicated with the connection flow passage, a diaphragm mounted inside the valve body portion, And a microcomputer that is pressed or turned off by the pusher, wherein the microcomputer comprises: a microcomputer which is connected to the microcomputer; And a pusher elastic member for elastically supporting the pusher.

Here, if the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is less than the replacement pressure, the pusher moves in one direction and is separated from the microswitch to turn on the microswitch. If the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is greater than the replacement pressure The pusher moves in the opposite direction and presses the microswitch to turn off the microswitch.

Here, when the microswitch is turned on, the microswitch can send a low-pressure signal to the controller.

The relief valve includes a valve body portion, a valve main flow path formed inside the valve body portion and having both ends communicated with the connection flow path, a valve body formed in the valve body portion, A valve discharge passage communicated with the valve main passage and the other end opened to the outside; a valve opening / closing member moving and retracted by the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the valve main passage to open and close the valve discharge passage; And a valve elastic member for elastically supporting the valve opening / closing member.

Here, if the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is greater than the predetermined limit pressure, the valve opening / closing member moves in one direction to open the valve discharge passage, and the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is less than the predetermined limit pressure The opening / closing member may move in the other direction to close the valve discharge passage.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carbon dioxide sensor comprising a carbonated water tank for mixing carbon dioxide and water to produce carbonated water, a carbon dioxide cylinder filled with carbon dioxide, a pressure regulator for controlling the pressure of carbon dioxide flowing out of the carbon dioxide cylinder, A connection channel connecting the pressure regulator and the solenoid opening / closing valve; a notification device informing the replacement time of the carbon dioxide cylinder; A method of controlling a refrigerator having a low pressure sensor integral type relief valve is characterized in that the low pressure sensor integrated type relief valve senses the pressure of carbon dioxide in the connection passage and when the sensed pressure is lower than a predetermined replacement pressure, Pressure sensor integrated relief valve discharges carbon dioxide in the connection passage to the atmosphere if the sensed pressure is greater than a predetermined limit pressure.

According to the idea of the present invention, between a pressure regulator which regulates the pressure of carbon dioxide flowing out of a carbon dioxide cylinder and flows out, and a solenoid opening / closing valve which interrupts the supply of carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure regulator to the carbonated water tank, When the pressure rises to a high pressure, the relief valve disposed between the pressure regulator and the carbon dioxide opening / closing valve discharges carbon dioxide into the atmosphere to reduce the pressure of the carbon dioxide, thereby preventing malfunction of the solenoid opening / closing valve due to high pressure . Therefore, the reliability and stability of the carbonated water producing system can be improved.

The relief valve is provided with a low pressure sensor for sensing the low pressure of carbon dioxide. The low pressure sensor sends a signal to the warning device when the carbon dioxide is below the predetermined replacement pressure, and the warning device easily detects that the replacement time of the carbon dioxide cylinder has arrived It can be recognized.

Since the relief valve and the low-pressure sensor are integrally formed as described above, the parts can be simplified and space utilization can be improved compared to a case where the relief valve and the low-pressure sensor are separately provided.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the refrigerator of FIG. 1;
3 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembled structure of the carbonated water generating module of the refrigerator of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover of a carbonated water generating module of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 is separated; FIG.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a pressure regulator of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 and its peripheral structure; FIG.
6 is a sectional view showing the pressure regulator of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 and its peripheral structure.
7 is a perspective view showing the relief valve of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 and its peripheral structure.
Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a relief valve of the refrigerator of Fig. 1, showing a state in which the relief valve is closed; Fig.
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a relief valve of the refrigerator of Fig. 1, showing a state in which a relief valve is opened; Fig.
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram for explaining a process of generating and discharging carbonated water in the refrigerator of FIG. 1;
11 is a perspective view showing a relief valve integrated with a low-pressure sensor of a refrigerator and its peripheral structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a view showing a coupling relationship of the low-pressure sensor integral type relief valve of the refrigerator of FIG.
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the low-pressure sensor integrated relief valve of FIG.
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the low-pressure sensor integrated relief valve of the refrigerator of Fig. 11, in which the valve discharge passage is closed and the microswitch is turned off;
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a low-pressure sensor integrated relief valve of the refrigerator of Fig. 11, showing a state in which a valve discharge passage is opened and a microswitch is turned off;
16 is a cross-sectional view of the low-pressure sensor integrated relief valve of the refrigerator of Fig. 11, in which the valve discharge flow passage is closed and the microswitch is turned on;
17 is a circuit diagram for explaining a process of generating and discharging carbonated water in the refrigerator of FIG.
FIG. 18 is a view showing a carbon dioxide cylinder replacement notification device of the refrigerator of FIG. 11;
19 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator of Fig.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the interior of the refrigerator of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG.

1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 10, storage rooms 20 and 30 formed inside the main body 10, storage rooms 20 and 30 (Not shown) for supplying cold air to the outdoor unit (not shown).

The main body 10 includes an inner surface defining the storage rooms 20 and 30, an outer surface coupled with the outer surface of the inner surface to form an outer appearance of the refrigerator, and a heat insulating material disposed between the inner and outer surfaces to insulate the storage rooms 20 and 30 .

The storage rooms 20 and 30 can be partitioned into an upper refrigerator compartment 20 and a lower refrigerator compartment 30 by an intermediate partition 11. The refrigerator compartment 20 may be provided with a shelf 23 on which food can be placed and at least one storage box 27 for enclosing the food.

In addition, an ice making chamber 81 capable of generating ice may be formed at an upper corner of the refrigerating chamber 20. The ice making chamber 81 may be insulated and partitioned with the refrigerating chamber 20 by the ice making chamber case 82. The ice making chamber 81 may be provided with an ice making device 80 such as an ice tray for generating ice and an ice bucket for storing ice produced by the ice making tray.

Meanwhile, the refrigerating chamber 20 may be provided with a water tank 70 capable of storing water. The water tank 70 may be provided between the plurality of storage boxes 27 as shown in FIG. 2. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the water in the water tank 70 may be cooled by the cool air inside the refrigerating chamber 20 It may be provided only inside the refrigerating chamber 20 so as to be cooled.

The water tank 70 may be connected to an external water source 40 (FIG. 10) such as water, and may store purified water through a water filter 50 (FIG. 10). The water supply pipe connecting the external water supply source 40 and the water tank 70 may be provided with a flow path switching valve 60. The flow path switching valve 50 may supply water supplied from the external water supply source 40 to the water tank 70, (70) or the ice making device (80).

The refrigerator compartment 20 and the freezer compartment 30 each have a front face opened to allow food to be delivered and received. The opened front face of the refrigerator compartment 20 includes a pair of rotary doors 21 and 22 hinged to the main body 10, And the opened front face of the freezing chamber 30 can be opened and closed by the sliding door 31 slidable with respect to the main body 10. [ On the rear surface of the refrigerating chamber doors 21 and 22, a door guard 24 capable of storing food can be provided.

On the other hand, when the refrigerating compartment doors 21 and 22 are closed at the rear edge of the refrigerating compartment doors 21 and 22, the refrigerating compartment 20 is closed by closing the spaces between the refrigerating compartment doors 21 and 22 and the main body 10 A gasket 28 may be provided. When any one of the refrigerating compartment doors 21 and 22 is closed in the refrigerating compartment door 21 of any of the refrigerating compartment doors 21 and 22 to seal the space between the refrigerating compartment door 21 and the refrigerating compartment door 22, And a rotating bar 26 for interrupting the cool air of the refrigerator.

The dispenser 90 may be provided on any one of the refrigerating chamber doors 21 of the refrigerating chamber doors 21 and 22 so as to take out water or ice from the outside without opening the refrigerating chamber door 21.

The dispenser 90 displays various kinds of information of the water intake space 91 in which water or ice can be taken by inserting a container such as a cup, an input button for operating various settings of the dispenser 90 and a dispenser 90 A control panel 92 provided with a display and an operation lever 93 capable of operating the dispenser 90 to discharge water or ice.

The dispenser 90 may further include an ice guide passage 94 connecting the ice making device 80 and the water intake space 91 such that the ice produced in the ice making device 80 is discharged into the water intake space 91 .

On the other hand, a carbonated water generating module 100 for generating carbonated water may be mounted on the rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 21 provided with the dispenser 90 of the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The carbonate water generation module 100 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an assembled structure of the carbonated water generating module of the refrigerator of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the cover of the carbonated water generating module of the refrigerator of FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the pressure regulator of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 and its peripheral structure, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the pressure regulator of the refrigerator of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a relief valve of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 and its peripheral structure, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a relief valve of the refrigerator of FIG. 1, 9 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the relief valve of the refrigerator of Fig. 1, showing a state in which the relief valve is opened. 10 is a circuit diagram for explaining the process of generating and discharging carbonated water in the refrigerator of FIG.

3 to 10, the carbonated water generating module 100 is for generating carbonated water in the refrigerator 1. The carbonated water generating module 100 includes a carbon dioxide cylinder 120 filled with high-pressure carbon dioxide, A module case 140 having accommodating spaces 151, 152 and 153 for accommodating the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 and the carbonated water tank 110 therein and being coupled to the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 21, a carbonated water tank 110 for generating carbonated water, And an integrated valve assembly 130.

The carbon dioxide cylinder 120 may be filled with carbon dioxide at a high pressure of approximately 45 to 60 bar. The carbon dioxide cylinder 120 is mounted on the cylinder connector 157 of the module case 140 and can be accommodated in the lower accommodating space 153 of the module case 140.

The carbon dioxide gas in the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 can be supplied to the carbonated water tank 110 through the carbon dioxide supply passage 200 connecting the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 and the carbonated water tank 110.

The carbon dioxide supply passage 200 is provided with a pressure regulator 201 for regulating the pressure of carbon dioxide gas, a solenoid opening / closing valve 202 for opening and closing the carbon dioxide supply passage 200, a carbon dioxide gas backflow prevention valve 202 for preventing backflow of carbon dioxide gas, (203) may be provided.

The pressure regulator 201 can lower the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas discharged from the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 to a pressure of approximately 8.5 bar.

The carbonated water tank 110 may mix the carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 and the purified water supplied from the water tank 70 to generate carbonated water and store the generated carbonated water.

The carbonated water tank 110 is provided with a water supply passage 201 for receiving water from the water tank 70 in addition to the above described carbon dioxide supply passage 200 and a carbonated water discharge flow path for discharging the generated carbonated water to the water intake space 91 And an exhaust passage 250 for exhausting the carbon dioxide gas remaining in the carbonated water tank 110 before water is supplied to the carbonated water tank 110.

The water supply passage 210 may be provided with a water supply solenoid valve 211 for opening and closing the water supply passage 210. A carbonated water discharge solenoid valve 231 for opening and closing the carbonated water discharge flow passage 230 and a carbonated water regulator 232 for regulating the pressure of the carbonated water discharged may be provided in the carbonated water discharge flow passage 230. The exhaust passage 250 may be provided with an exhaust valve 251 for opening and closing the exhaust passage 250.

The carbonated water tank 110 is provided with a water level sensor 111 for measuring the amount of water supplied to the carbonated water tank 110 and a water temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the water supplied to the carbonated water tank 110, A temperature sensor 112 may be provided to measure the temperature of the fluid.

A tank safety valve 114 capable of discharging high-pressure carbon dioxide gas exceeding a predetermined pressure to the carbonated water tank 110 due to malfunction of the pressure regulator 201 or the like is provided in the carbonated water tank 110 .

The carbonated water tank 110 may be formed to have a predetermined size, and may be formed to receive an integer of about 1 liter. In addition, the carbonated water tank 110 may be formed of a stainless material so as to withstand the high pressure and to have corrosion resistance while minimizing the size of the tank. The carbonated water tank 110 may be received in the first upper accommodation space 151 of the module case 140. The carbonated water tank 110 may be supported by the bottom support 155 and the guide portion 156 of the module case 140.

Meanwhile, the integrated valve assembly 130 can be formed together with the water supply solenoid valve 201, the carbonated water discharge solenoid valve 231, and the water discharge solenoid valve 221 described above.

That is, the water supply solenoid valve 201, the carbonated water discharge solenoid valve 231, and the water discharge solenoid valve 221 may be integrally formed as one unit. The integrated valve assembly 130 may be received in the second upper housing space 152 of the module case 140.

The module case 140 may include a back case 150 having one open side and a cover 160 coupled to an open side of the back case 150.

At least one insertion groove 154 may be formed in the module case 140 at a position corresponding to at least one insertion protrusion 25 formed on the rear surface of the door 21. Therefore, the module case 140 can be easily mounted on the rear surface of the door 21 by inserting the insertion protrusion 25 into the insertion groove 154. However, such a coupling structure is an exemplary one, and the module case 140 can be detachably mounted on the rear surface of the door 21 through various coupling structures such as a screw coupling structure and a hook coupling structure, in addition to the insertion structure.

The back case 150 and the cover 160 may have insertion holes 158 and insertion protrusions 162 at positions corresponding to each other so that the cover 160 can be coupled to the back case 150. However, such a coupling structure is also exemplary, and the back case 150 and the cover 160 may also be detachably coupled through various coupling structures.

The carbon dioxide cylinder 120, the carbonated water tank 110, and the integrated module assembly 130 inside the module case 140 are not exposed to the outside while the cover 160 is coupled to the back case 150 . Therefore, the aesthetics of the door 21 may not be hindered.

The cover 160 is provided with a ventilation hole 161 communicating with the inside and the outside of the module case 140 so that even when the cover 160 is coupled to the back case 150, The cooling water in the storage chamber is supplied to the storage tank 110 and the carbonated water stored in the carbonated water tank 110 can be cooled or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The mounting structure of the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 and the operation of the pressure regulator 201 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. Fig.

 The refrigerator further includes a safety device 750 that couples the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 coupled to the cylinder connector 157 to the pressure regulator 201. The safety device 750 is rotatably provided on a side surface of a cylinder connector 157 coupled to one side of the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 and rotates the safety lever 750 selectively moving the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 to the pressure regulator 201, (752).

The cylinder connector 157 has a cylindrical connector body 157a in a cylindrical shape, a cylinder connector hole 157b in which a suction nozzle 201a of the pressure regulator 201 is inserted, and a cylinder connector body 157b protruding from the cylinder connector body 157a. A moving shaft 157c and a cylinder engaging portion 157d to which the injection nozzle of the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 is screwed.

Even after the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 is coupled to the cylinder connector 157, the suction nozzle 201a of the pressure regulator 201 and the injection nozzle of the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. This prevents the suction nozzle 201a of the pressure regulator 201 from being coupled with the injection nozzle of the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 without operating the safety device 750 even if the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 is coupled to the cylinder connector 157 It is for this reason.

The safety lever 752 includes a lever portion 754 to which a force is transmitted, a lever side portion 756 having a lever rotation axis 756a to which the safety lever 752 is rotatably provided, and a lever side portion 756 provided on the lever side portion 756, And a cylinder connector spacing portion 758 for pushing the connector moving shaft 157c.

The lever 754 is vertically movable about a lever rotation shaft 756a provided on the lever side surface 756 and moves upward and downward to move the cylinder connector 157 and the pressure regulator 201, Can be detached.

The lever side portion 756 is formed by bending both sides from the lever portion 754. A lever portion 754 is formed on the lever side portion 756 with a lever rotation shaft 756a provided so as to be rotatable on the side surface of the pressure regulator 201 I have.

The safety device 750 includes a safety lever holder 760 for converting the rotational movement of the safety lever 752 into the forward and backward movement of the cylinder connector 157.

The safety lever holder 760 is provided on the back surface of the pressure regulator 201. The safety lever holder 760 includes a holder engagement shaft 760b that engages with the safety lever 752, Gt; 760a. ≪ / RTI >

The lever side portion 756 of the safety lever 752 is provided with a safety lever engagement shaft 756b for engagement with the safety lever holder 760. The safety lever engagement shaft 756b is provided to be spaced apart from the lever rotation shaft 756a. The rotation of the safety lever 752 is transmitted to the safety lever holder 760 by coupling the holder coupling shaft 760b of the safety lever holder 760 to the safety lever coupling shaft 756b.

The lever 754 is upwardly moved about the lever rotation axis 756a and the safety lever coupling shaft 756b and the holder coupling shaft 760b are moved upward so that the safety lever holder 760 moves upward The safety lever coupling shaft 756b and the holder coupling shaft 760b are moved downward as a result of the downward movement of the lever portion 754. As a result, the safety lever holder 760 moves downward.

The safety lever holder 760 is provided with a cylinder connector seating groove 760a in which the cylinder connector moving shaft 157c is seated. The cylinder connector seat groove 760a is seated to support the lower portion of the cylinder connector moving shaft 157c. With this structure, the cylinder connector moving shaft 157c moves upward as the safety lever holder 760 moves upward.

The pressure regulator 201 includes a cylinder connector rail case 201c to enclose the cylinder connector 157. [ On the side surface of the cylinder connector rail case 201c, a cylinder connector rail 201d for guiding the upward movement of the cylinder connector moving shaft 157c is provided.

On the side surface of the pressure regulator 201, a pressure regulator rotation shaft 711 protruding axially is provided on the side surface so as to be able to rotate the pressure regulator 201. The outer surface of the pressure regulator 201 is surrounded by the pressure regulator case 710 so that the configuration inside the pressure regulator 201 can be protected from the external environment.

At one side of the carbon dioxide cylinder 120, a gas cylinder guide 780 for guiding a cylindrical carbon dioxide cylinder 120 may be provided. The gas cylinder guide portion 780 includes a cylinder contact guide portion 780a for closely guiding at least one side face of the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical carbon dioxide cylinder 120, A cylinder spacing guide portion 780b spaced apart from the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 by a predetermined distance and a cylinder seating portion 780c on which the bottom of the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 is seated.

7, when the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage 200a is greater than the predetermined limit pressure, the connection passage 200a connecting the pressure regulator 201 and the solenoid opening / A relief valve 800 for discharging carbon dioxide in the flow path 200a to the atmosphere to reduce the pressure is provided.

The connection channel 200a is a part of the carbon dioxide supply channel 200 connecting the pressure regulator 201 and the carbonated water tank 110 to supply carbon dioxide to the carbonated water tank 110. The connection channel 200a is a part of the carbon dioxide supply channel 200 ) Between the pressure regulator 201 and the solenoid opening / closing valve 202 in the first embodiment.

The reason why the relief valve 800 is provided in the connection passage 200a is that when the temperature of the carbon dioxide trapped in the connection passage 200a absorbs external heat and the pressure rises to a high pressure, The on-off valve 202 can not be operated normally.

In detail, as described above, the carbon dioxide pressurized and charged into the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 at approximately 45 to 60 bar flows out through the pressure regulator 201 at a pressure of approximately 8.5 bar or less, but the solenoid valve 202 The carbon dioxide flowing out of the pressure regulator 201 is stagnated in the connection passage 200a connecting the pressure regulator 201 and the solenoid opening and closing valve 202. At this time, The pressure can again be raised to a high pressure of 8.5 bar or more.

Particularly, when the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 is overcharged or when a new carbon dioxide cylinder 120 is first mounted, the pressure rise in the connection passage 200a can be further increased. This is because, in such a case, the carbon dioxide flows at a high speed inside the pressure regulator 201, and the temperature drops sharply and flows out from the pressure regulator 201 without sufficient vaporization. The carbon dioxide flowing out in the liquid phase can form a higher pressure while absorbing heat on the connection channel 200a and vaporizing.

When the solenoid opening / closing valve 202 has a high pressure of 15 bar or more, the solenoid opening / closing valve 202 is not opened smoothly when the solenoid opening / closing valve 202 is approximately 15 bar or more. The opening / closing valve 202 may not be opened.

The relief valve 800 may be configured to discharge carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when the carbon dioxide of the connection passage 200a reaches a predetermined limit pressure. Here, the predetermined limit pressure can be determined in a range of approximately 9.5 bar to 11.5 bar.

With such a structure, when the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage 200a rises to reach the limit pressure, the relief valve 800 discharges the carbon dioxide to the atmosphere to maintain the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage 200a below the limit pressure have. Therefore, malfunction due to the high pressure of the solenoid opening / closing valve 202 may not occur, and reliability and stability of the carbonated water producing system may be improved.

Various configurations of the relief valve 800 may be provided, but they may be provided as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, for example.

The relief valve 800 includes a first relief valve body 810, a second relief valve body 820 coupled to the first relief valve body 810, and a second relief valve body 820 formed inside the first relief valve body 810 A relief main passage 811 having both ends communicated with the connecting passage 200a and a relief main passage 811 formed inside the second relief valve body 820 and having one end communicated to the relief main passage 811 and the other end opened to the outside A relief opening and closing member 830 for opening and closing the relief discharging passage 821 and a relief opening and closing member 830 moving forward and backward by the pressure of carbon dioxide in the relief main passage 811, And may include an elastic member 840.

The relief valve 800 further includes an inlet port 801 and an outlet port 802 to which the connection passage 200a is respectively connected and a packing member 831 provided to the relief opening and closing member 830 for sealing the relief discharge passage 821. [ And an adjusting screw 850 for adjusting the elastic force of the relief elastic member 840.

9, when the pressure of the connection passage 200a is transmitted to the relief main passage 811 and the pressure of the relief main passage 811 is greater than the predetermined limit pressure, the relief open / close member 830 Can relieve the elastic force of the relief elastic member 840 and move in one direction to open the relief discharge passage 821. [

8, when the pressure of the relief main passage 811 is less than the predetermined limit pressure, the relief opening / closing member 830 moves in the opposite direction due to the elastic force of the relief elastic member 840, The flow path 821 can be closed.

11 is a perspective view illustrating a low-pressure sensor integrated relief valve of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention and a peripheral structure thereof. FIG. 12 is a view showing a coupling relationship of the low-pressure sensor integrated type relief valve of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the low-pressure sensor integrated relief valve of FIG. Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the low-pressure sensor integrated type relief valve of Fig. 11, in which the valve discharge flow passage is closed and the microswitch is turned off, Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the low- Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the low-pressure sensor integrated relief valve of the refrigerator of Fig. 11, in which the valve discharge flow path is closed and the microswitch is turned on FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram for explaining a process of generating and discharging carbonated water in the refrigerator of FIG.

11 to 17, an apparatus for producing carbonated water for a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same components as those of the embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator includes a low-pressure sensor-integrated relief valve 900 instead of the relief valve of the embodiment, a notification device 321 notifying the replacement time of the carbon dioxide cylinder, And a control unit 310 receiving the low pressure signal and controlling the notification device 321.

The low pressure sensor integrated type relief valve 900 is formed by integrating a low pressure sensor for sensing when carbon dioxide is low and a relief valve for discharging carbon dioxide to the atmosphere when high pressure carbon dioxide is present. The pressure regulator 201, the solenoid opening / And is mounted on the connection passage 200a connecting the first and second connection portions 202a and 202b.

Pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 transmits a low pressure signal when the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage 200a is lower than a predetermined replacement pressure and when the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage 200a is higher than a predetermined limit pressure, And the carbon dioxide of the fuel cell 200a is discharged into the atmosphere.

As described above, the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 is charged to approximately 45 to 60 bar. When the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 consumes carbon dioxide as the consumable, the pressure is reduced. When the carbon dioxide is exhausted or sufficient pressure is not generated You have to replace it.

However, if the time of replacement of the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 is not properly informed, the user can know whether the carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 is completely consumed or not by simply tasting the actual carbonated water.

To this end, the low pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 of the present invention senses the pressure of carbon dioxide in the connection passage 200a and determines whether the pressure is low enough to require replacement.

That is, the low pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 emits a low pressure signal when the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage 200a is lower than a predetermined replacement pressure. Here, the predetermined replacement pressure may be determined in a range of approximately 7.3 bar to 7.7 bar.

As described above, the pressure regulator 201 is provided to discharge the pressure of the carbon dioxide to about 8.5 bar. If the pressure of the carbon dioxide flowing out of the pressure regulator 201 is 7.3 to 7.7 bar, the pressure of the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 This means that the pressure of carbon dioxide has already reached the level of 7.3 bar to 7.7 bar.

The notification device 321 may be a display device provided on the door. Specifically, the notifying device 321 may include an LED or the like, and may indicate that the time for replacing the carbon dioxide cylinder 120 has arrived visually by emitting light.

The low pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 discharges the carbon dioxide in the connection passage 200a to the atmosphere and pressurizes the connection passage 200a when the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage 200a is higher than the predetermined limit pressure, like the relief valve of the above- The pressure of carbon dioxide in the exhaust gas is reduced. The discharge operation of the carbon dioxide is the same as that of the relief valve of the embodiment described above, so that detailed description is omitted.

Here, the predetermined limit pressure at which the low-pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 is opened is preferably determined in the range of 9.5 bar to 11.5 bar as in the embodiment.

The low-pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 may have various configurations, for example, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 16.

The low pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 includes a valve body 910 formed of an upper case 910a, a middle case 901b and a lower case 901c, and a valve body 910 formed inside the valve body 910, A valve main passage 911 communicating with the connection passage 200a, a diaphragm 920 mounted inside the valve body 910, and a diaphragm 920 partitioned from the valve main passage 911 by a diaphragm 920 A pusher 930 moving forward and backward by the pressure of carbon dioxide in the valve main flow passage 911; a micro switch 940 pressed or turned off by the pusher 930; A valve discharge passage 913 formed inside the valve body 910 and having one end communicated to the valve main passage 911 and the other end opened to the outside, It is moved forward and backward by the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the flow path 911 and the valve discharge flow path 913 is opened / It may include a valve opening and closing member 960 and the valve the elastic member 970 to elastically support the valve opening and closing member 960.

The upper case 910a, the middle case 901b and the lower case 901c can be coupled by a screw S. [

Pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 further includes an inlet port 901 and an outlet port 902 to which the connection flow paths 200a are respectively connected, a spring support portion 951 for supporting the pusher elastic member 950, A packing member 961 provided on the valve opening and closing member 960 for sealing the valve discharge passage 913 and an elastic force of the valve elastic member 940 An adjustment screw 980 for adjusting the valve body 990, and a valve support body 990 coupled to the valve body 910.

 The low pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 can be mounted on the solenoid opening / closing valve 202 by inserting the outlet 902 thereof into the inlet of the solenoid opening / closing valve 202.

The microswitch 940 includes an actuator 941 that is protruded to be pressed by the pusher 930 and when the actuator 941 is pressed by the pusher 930 the microswitch 940 may be turned off internally have.

When the pushing force of the pusher 930 with respect to the actuator 941 disappears, the actuator 941 returns to the original state by the elastic force of the elastic member in the micro switch 940. When the actuator 941 returns to the original state, The switch 940 can be turned on.

Unlike the present embodiment, when the pusher 930 pressurizes the actuator 941, the microswitch 940 is turned on and the actuator 941 is actuated. When the push of the pusher 930 disappears, the microswitch 940 may be turned off. In this case, it is needless to say that the micro switch 940 is provided above the pusher 930, unlike the present embodiment.

14, when the pressure of the connection passage 200a is lower than a predetermined replacement pressure (approximately 7.3 bar to 7.7 mm) as shown in FIG. 14, the pusher 930 is moved in one direction to overcome the elastic force of the pusher elastic member 950 and the actuator 941 of the micro switch 940 And the micro switch 940 is turned off. The opening and closing member 960 moves in one direction by the elastic force of the valve elastic member 970 and closes the valve discharge flow path 913.

15, when the pressure of the connection passage 200 is greater than the predetermined limit pressure (approximately 9.5 bar to 11.5 bar) of the connection passage 200a, the opening and closing member 960 is closed by the valve elastic member 970 And moves in the opposite direction to open the valve discharge passage 913. [

16, when the pressure of the connection passage 200 is smaller than a predetermined replacement pressure (approximately 7.3 bar to 7.7 bar), the pusher 930 is urged in the opposite direction by the elastic force of the pusher elastic member 950 And is separated from the micro switch 940 and the micro switch 940 is turned on.

When the micro switch 940 is turned on, the micro switch 940 sends a low voltage signal to the control unit 310.

As described above, since the low pressure detection sensor that detects when the carbon dioxide is lower than the predetermined replacement pressure and the relief valve that discharges the carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when the pressure is higher than the predetermined limit pressure are integrated, Compared to a structure in which a valve is provided separately, the parts can be simplified and assembled easily. Also, space occupation can be reduced, and space usability can be improved.

FIG. 18 is a view showing a carbon dioxide cylinder replacement notification device of the refrigerator of FIG. 11, and FIG. 19 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator of FIG.

A control method of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG.

The refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit 300 for inputting the discharge of carbonated water or purified water, a display unit 320 for indicating whether or not carbonated water is generated, a water level sensor 111, Closing valve 202, the water supply solenoid valve 211, the water discharge solenoid valve 221, and the carbonic acid water discharge solenoid valve on the basis of the information received from the input unit 300, And a control unit 310 for controlling the operation of the display unit 320.

The control unit 310 can receive the low pressure signal transmitted by the micro switch 940 of the low pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 and control the operation of the display unit 320. [

The input unit 300 and the display unit 320 may be integrated with the display unit 330 and the display unit 320 may include a notification unit 321 informing the replacement time of the toaster dioxide cylinder 120.

The low pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 can sense the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage 200a.

Pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 sends a low pressure signal to the control unit 310 and the control unit 310 notifies the notification unit 321 of the display unit 320 to notify the replacement time when the sensed pressure is less than the predetermined replacement pressure. Can be controlled.

If the sensed pressure is higher than the predetermined limit pressure, the low-pressure sensor integrated relief valve 900 is mechanically opened to discharge carbon dioxide in the connection passage 200a into the atmosphere.

Although the technical idea of the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1: Refrigerator 10: Body
11: intermediate bulkhead 20: refrigerating chamber
21: first refrigerator compartment door 22: second refrigerator compartment door
23: shelf 24: door guard
25: insertion protrusion 26: rotating bar
27: Storage box 28: Gasket
30: Freezer 31: Freezer door
40: External water source 50: Water filter
60: flow path switching valve 70: water tank
80: Deicing device 81: Ice making room
82: Icing chamber case 90: Dispenser
91: Water intake space 92: Control panel
93: Operation lever 94: Ice guide passage
100: Carbonated water generating module 110: Carbonated water tank
111: water level sensor 112: temperature sensor
114: Tank safety valve 120: Carbon dioxide cylinder
130: Integrated valve assembly 130a: first inlet port
130b: second inlet port 130c: first outlet port
130d: second outflow port 130e: third outflow port
140: Module case 150: Back case
151: first upper accommodation space 152: second upper accommodation space
153: lower receiving space 154: insertion groove
155: bottom support portion 156: guide portion
157: Cylinder connector 157a: Cylinder connector body
157b: Cylinder connector hole 157c: Cylinder connector Movement shaft
157d: cylinder coupling portion 158: insertion groove
160a, 160b: Cover 161: Vents
162: insertion protrusion 200: carbon dioxide supply channel
200a: Connection line 201: Pressure regulator
201a: push rod 201b: pressure regulator outlet
201c: Cylinder connector rail case 201d: Cylinder connector rail
202: solenoid opening / closing valve 203: gas backflow preventing valve
210: water supply passage 211: water supply solenoid valve
220: Water discharge channel 221: Water discharge solenoid valve
230: Carbonated water discharge channel 231: Carbonated water discharge solenoid valve
232: Carbonated water regulator 240: Integrated discharge flow path
241: Residual water discharge prevention valve 250:
251: exhaust valve 300: input part
310: control unit 320: display unit
321: replacement timing indicator 330: display device
710: Pressure regulator case 711: Pressure regulator shaft
750: Safety device 752: Safety lever
754: Lever portion 756: Lever side portion
756a: lever rotation shaft 756b: safety lever coupling shaft
760: Safety lever holder 760a: Cylinder connector seat
760b: holder coupling shaft 780: gas cylinder guide portion
780a: cylinder-contact guide portion 780b: cylinder-spacing guide portion
780c: cylinder seating portion 800: relief valve
801: Inlet port 802: Outlet
810: first relief valve body 811: relief main flow path
820: second relief valve body 821: relief discharge passage
830: relief opening / closing member 831: packing member
840: relief elastic member 850: adjusted
900: Low pressure sensor integrated relief valve 901: Inlet port
902: outlet 910: valve body
910a: upper case 910b: middle case
910c: lower case 911: valve main flow path
912: compartment space 913: valve discharge passage
920: Diaphragm 930: Pusher
940: Micro switch 941: Actuator
950: pusher elastic member 951: elastic member support portion
952: adjusting screw 960: valve opening / closing member
961: packing member 970: valve elastic member
980: adjusting screw 990: valve supporting body
S: Screw

Claims (17)

delete delete delete delete delete main body;
A storage chamber provided inside the main body;
A door that opens and closes the storage room;
A carbonated water tank for mixing carbon dioxide and water to generate carbonated water;
A carbon dioxide cylinder filled with carbon dioxide;
A pressure regulator for regulating and discharging the pressure of carbon dioxide flowing out of the carbon dioxide cylinder;
A solenoid opening / closing valve for controlling supply of carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure regulator to the carbonic acid water tank;
A connection channel connecting the pressure regulator and the solenoid opening / closing valve;
A notification device informing the replacement time of the carbon dioxide cylinder;
Pressure sensor integral type relief valve that sends a low pressure signal when the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is lower than a predetermined replacement pressure and discharges carbon dioxide of the connection passage to the atmosphere when the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is higher than a predetermined limit pressure ; And
A control unit for receiving the low pressure signal from the low pressure sensor integrated relief valve and controlling the notification device to inform the replacement time of the carbon dioxide cylinder; Lt; / RTI >
The low-pressure-sensor-integrated relief valve includes:
A valve body portion,
A main flow path formed in the valve body portion and connected to the connection flow path,
A pusher provided to move back and forth in accordance with a pressure of carbon dioxide in the valve main passage;
A micro switch which is pressed by the pusher to send out a low pressure signal,
A valve discharge passage formed in the valve body and connected to the valve main passage so as to discharge carbon dioxide of the valve main passage to the outside,
And a valve opening / closing member that moves back and forth in accordance with the pressure of carbon dioxide in the valve main flow path to open and close the valve discharge flow path. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the notifying device comprises a display device provided on the door. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the pressure of the carbon dioxide flowing into the solenoid opening / closing valve is kept below the predetermined limit pressure by the operation of the low pressure sensor integrated relief valve, thereby preventing the solenoid opening / closing valve from malfunctioning due to the high pressure. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the predetermined replacement pressure is determined in a range of 7.3 bar to 7.7 bar. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the predetermined limiting pressure is determined in the range of 9.5 bar to 11.5 bar. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the low pressure sensor integrated type relief valve is mounted at an inlet of the solenoid opening / closing valve. The method according to claim 6,
The low-pressure-sensor-integrated relief valve includes:
A diaphragm mounted inside the valve body;
A partition space partitioned by the diaphragm from the valve main passage and in which the pusher is disposed; And
A pusher elastic member for elastically supporting the pusher; Further comprising a refrigerator. 13. The method of claim 12,
When the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is lower than the replacement pressure, the pusher moves in one direction and is separated from the microswitch to turn on the microswitch,
Wherein when the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is greater than the replacement pressure, the pusher moves in the opposite direction and presses the microswitch to turn off the microswitch. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein when the microswitch is turned on, the microswitch transmits a low pressure signal to the controller. The method according to claim 6,
The low-pressure-sensor-integrated relief valve includes:
And a valve elastic member for elastically supporting the valve opening / closing member. 16. The method of claim 15,
When the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is greater than the predetermined limit pressure, the valve opening / closing member moves in one direction to open the valve discharge passage,
Wherein when the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the connection passage is less than the predetermined limit pressure, the opening / closing member moves in the other direction to close the valve discharge passage. delete

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